Brewarrina Shire Council was constituted in 1955, although water supply systems to Brewarrina and Goodooga pre-date the incorporation of the area. A bore was provided at Goodooga in 1897.

Brewarrina was provided with a raw water supply from 1952, although the majority of the network was not installed until 1960. In 1969 Brewarrina was provided with sewerage services, with effluent treated using a trickling filter process to the west of the town. In 1970 potable water supplies were provided to the majority of Brewarrina.

In 1986 sewerage services were extended to the West Brewarrina Aboriginal Reserve and Goodooga (including the Aboriginal Reserve), with Barwon 4 provided with a Common Effluent Drainage sewerage service in 1993. The Barwon 4 sewerage system is not owned by Brewarrina Shire Council.

Goodooga’s water supply was upgraded between 2002 and 2004 with the provision of a potable water supply from an artesian bore, treated using chlorination and a cooling tower.

Legislative Framework

In managing its water supply, Council must work within a complex legislative framework. It is not the intention for this business plan to describe the Council’s responsibilities under the various Acts and Regulations, but to list the legislation. It is the responsibility of the Councillors and the staff to inform themselves of the requirements of the legislation and their relevant responsibilities.

The Brewarrina water supply and sewerage businesses are constituted as part of Brewarrina Shire Council under the Local Government Act 1993. Council reports to the NSW Office of Water (NOW, part of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water), on matters of utility performance. This performance includes operation, maintenance, pricing and customer satisfaction.

Operation and treatment performance of the water and sewage treatment plant is monitored by NOW with regular inspections.The water business also reports to NSW Health on matters of drinking water quality.The NOW administers the Country Water Supply and Sewerage Programme subsidy scheme, and is consulted regarding any significant upgrade or system augmentation works. Ministerial approval is required for new water treatment, sewage treatment and effluent reuse systems under the requirements of the Local Government Act.

The provision of Water in the Darling River is controlled by NOW, under the Water Management Act 2000. NOW develops water allocation plans for the Darling catchment each year.

The Western Catchment Management Authority commenced in July 2004. Some responsibilities of state government devolve to the Authority.

The major Acts that control the water supply obligations include:

Local Government Act 1993, in particular Sections 56 to 66.
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979
Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003
Soil Conservation Act 1938
Public Health Act 1991
Fluoridation of Public Works Supplies Act 1957
Water Act 1912 (largely rescinded)
Water Management Act 2000
Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000